Population: 84 million
Area: 331,000 square kilometres
Capital city: Hanoi
Major cities: Ho Chi Minh, Da Nang, Hai Phong, Ha Long, Hue, Da Lat, Nha Trang, Can Tho.
HISTORY
Vietnam has a history of 4,000 years with many ups and downs. In the 2nd century BC, China invaded Vietnam, beginning 1,000 years of domination. In 938, the first independent feudal dynasty of Vietnam was established. In 1858, French troops attacked Da Nang, opening a colonial period of almost 100 years. On Sep. 2nd, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam’s independence. However, in 1956, the Vietnam War broke out with American involvement. In 1973, US troops were withdrawn and the country was reunified on April 30th, 1975. Since then, Vietnam has enjoyed independence and entered a new area of development and global economic integration
GEOGRAPHY
Vietnam is one of the most beautiful countries in Asia. It shares borders with China, Laos, and Cambodian, and faces the East Sea. Thanks to its location, Vietnam is a bridge linking Southeast Asian mainland together. It is an S- shaped peninsula, with thousands of offshore islands, the largest archipelagoes being the Hoang Sa ( Paracel) islands and the Truong Sa ( Spartley) islands. The country’s land area is 329.241 sq km and lies between East longitudes 102008’ and 109028’, and the North latitudes 8002’ and 23023’. Vietnam offes a 3.260 km coastline and its inland borders is 4.510 km. From North to South, the country stretches on about 1.650 km.
CULTURE
Vietnam is a fascinating blend of the Orient and the Occident, the old and the new. Despite the current modernization process taking place day and night, villages with traditional customs, festivals, farming methods, folk arts, etc. still play an important role in Vietnam’s present-day society. Visitors can explore the cultures of 54 ethnic minority groups with intact customs and practices as well as ruined cultural and historical structures. Vietnamese culinary art, acknowledged as a superb cuisine worldwide, is a balance of ying and yang featured in its harmonious formula of green vegetables and meat with spices. Apart from their rich culture, the hospitality of the gentle Vietnamese people also makes travels to Vietnam truly enjoyable
RELIGION
There is no official religion in Vietnam, but Buddhism is very popular and the most Vietnamese worship their ancestors. Buddhist pagodas and Catholic churches general constitute interesting tourist attractions. Some religions are more specific to the southern regions, such as Cao Dai sect, the Hoa Hoa sect, and Islam.
LANGUAGE
Because Vietnamese has six different tones, it is a difficult language for most foreigners to speak despite the fact that the Roman alphabet is used in modern Vietnamese. The same word can have six different meanings depending on the tone used to pronounce it. In the cities and larger towns English is becoming popular and is now spoken by many younger people while some of the older generation still speak fluent French. Russian and Chinese are also spoken by some people. English, French, Cantonese and Japanese are spoken by hotel staff. Guides and interpreters speaking English, French, Russian, Japanese, German, Cantonese, Mandarin, etc.
CURRENCY
The currency of Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong, which should be used for all shopping and business transactions. Dong notes (there are coins of 200, 500, 1000, 2000 and 5000 ) come in denominations of 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000, 200,000 and 500,000. The US dollar is also widely accepted. The official rate of exchange is approximately VND 16,060 to one US dollar (January 2007). Travellers cheques can be exchanged at banks and some exchange bureau but can be difficult to change outside of the major cities. Banks are open Monday to Friday and some are open Saturday morning. In the major cities there are bureau exchange and most hotels will change US Dollars although for other currencies it is usually necessary to visit a bank. Visa Card and Mastercard are now accepted in many hotels, restaurants and shops but US Dollars cash are still the most reliable form of money to carry. There are many ATM machines appearing now in main cities.
WEATHER
Hanoi and the north of Vietnam have a distinct winter and summer season with the mainly dry winter lasting from November through April with average temperatures of 18-20oC. Summer lasts from May to October and is hot and humid with temperatures around 30oC. Hue and Danang in the centre of the country have very hot, dry weather from February to August with temperatures reaching the mid 30's Celsius, but can experience some quite heavy rainfall between September and January. Ho Chi Minh City and the south have a hot, dry season from December till April with average temperatures around 28oC and a rainy season lasting from May through till November. It rarely rains for long periods even in the rainy season with most rain coming in short, heavy bursts.
Most hotels now have IDD phones in rooms and it is possible to send faxes from hotels and post offices although be warned these services are expensive in all four countries. Away from the major cities it may not always be possible to make international calls. Cyber cafes are becoming popular in the major cities in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos and many travelers now prefer to keep in touch by e-mail. Post cards can be bought at all the main tourist sites and stamps are available from post offices and some hotel reception desks. Long distance calls should be made at post offices, hotels or telephone booths (phone cards are available at post offices 
ELECTRICITY
Mainly 220V but in some areas 110V is also used.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
01 Jan : New Year's Day
17 Feb 2007 : Lunar New Year (Tet) or Vietnamese New Year
30 Apr : Sai Gon Liberation Day
1 May : International Labour Day
2 Sep : National Day
The cuisine of Vietnam comes as a pleasant surprise to many visitors and is definitely a part of the Vietnam experience not to be missed. One of the characteristics of Vietnamese food is that it is always fresh being bought the same morning straight from the market. Food is usually prepared with a minimum of oil and served with the ubiquitous fish sauce called nuoc mam. Typical Vietnamese dishes you can expect to try include Pho, a type of rice noodle soup eaten for breakfast, cha gio, deep-fried spring rolls and Goi Ngo Sen, a delicious salad made with lotus stems, shrimps and peanuts. Due to the strong Buddhist influence in Vietnam, vegetarian food is widely available
WATER
It is not advisable to drink tap water in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos or Myanmar but bottled mineral water is safe and available everywhere. Ice in drinks is generally OK in good standard hotels and restaurants but it is best to avoid it on street stalls or in country areas.
CLOTHING
Throughout the year, it is advisable to wear summer clothing: thin clothes in light color. In December and January, warm clothes are recommended for visits to the northern provinces. It is advisable to bring umbrellas or raincoats in the rainy season from May to November in southern and northern Vietnam, from August to January in central Vietnam. The wearing of suits for business is now common in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City. Dress should be respectable, visitors to Buddhist countries should not wear shorts, short skirts or other skimpy clothing when visiting religious buildings and shoes should be removed before entering a private home. Especially if entering religious premises such as temples and pagodas.
HOURS OF BUSSINESS
Offices are usually open from Monday to Friday from 07:30 or 08:00 until 17:00 or 18:00 and often close for lunch between 11:30 and 13:00. Some offices also open Saturday morning. Shops open early and close any time between 18:00 and 22:00. Most shops are open 7 days a week. The following items are preferred by foreign travellers:
Carved wooden furniture, fine lacquer ware (these can be shipped home on request).
Traditional Vietnamese hand-made silk dresses, kimonos, embroideries, etc.
Simulated antiques, fine ceramics, old watches or Zippo lighters, etc.
Copies of famous paintings
TIPPING
Tipping for good service is not expected but is always appreciated in these developing nations. It is customary, though not compulsory, to tip tour guides and drivers at the end of a tour. Hotel and station porters should also be tipped
SECURITY
In big cities, do not bring along valuables as going shopping or sightseeing in the street. It is dispensable to give alms to beggars and to buy souvenirs from street vendors. Foreign currencies should be exchanged at banks or authorized exchange bureaus. Do not exchange money in the street. It is advisable not to ride on pedicabs or “honda-om” by oneself.
HEALTH
No vaccinations are presently required for visitors to enter Vietnam. However, it is advisable that precautionary measures be taken for cholera, malaria, hepatitis A & B, typhoid and tuberculosis. Although international medical centre are available in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City, it can be expensive for emergency care. Therefore, health and emergency medical insurance prior to visiting Vietnam is highly recommended for foreigners. Clinics with qualified Vietnamese and foreign doctors to treat foreign patients:
In Ha Noi:
+ Viet Duc Hospital, 40 Trang Thi St., Hoan Kiem District. Tel: (84.4) 8253531
+ Asia Emergency Assistance: 31 Hai Ba Trung St., Hoan Kiem District. Tel: (84.4) 9340555
In Ho Chi Minh City:
+ Asia Emergency Assistance: 65 Nguyen Du St., District 1. Tel: (84.8) 8298520
+ Columbia International Healthcare, 08 Alexandre de Rhodes St., District 1. Tel: (84.8) 8238455
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